Miloise A. Lyford, age 104, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away on Monday, February 12, 2018. She was born to the late Alma and Miller Akers in Helena, Arkansas on February 5, 1914. She attended schools in Helena, graduating from Helena High School in 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression. Her father had died in 1929, and she felt fortunate to find a secretarial job in a real estate office two weeks after graduation – at a salary of $25.00 per month.

In February 1934, Miloise married Joseph H. Lyford, also of Helena where they spent the early years of marriage and where their two sons, Joseph H. Jr. and William A. were born. During World War II, the Lyfords lived in Dumas, Texas where Joe worked in a munitions plant and it was during this time that they developed their life-long love for the West and particularly Colorado.

After WWII, the Lyfords settled in Conway, Arkansas and in 1952 Miloise was employed as secretary to the President of the First State Bank & Trust Co., a position she held until her retirement in 1979. On her retirement, Miloise and Joe moved to Russellville, Arkansas. After Joe's death in July 1995, Miloise moved to Buena Vista, Colorado where she lived until her return to Arkansas, to Parkway Village in 2006.

Miloise was an active member of the Episcopal Church wherever she lived, serving always on the alter guild and in many other capacities. She was a member of The PEO Sisterhood and other women's clubs and a very enthusiastic bridge player. She loved walking and particularly hiking the mountains of Colorado, never tiring of the spectacular scenery. She and husband Joe spent many happy summers in and around Buena Vista together with friends the made over years of vacations there.

Miloise was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Joseph H. Lyford, Sr. and her brother, William Akers and his wife, Dorothy. She is survived by her children, Joseph H. Lyford, Jr. of Salida, Colorado and William A. Lyford and wife, Idalene of Little Rock. Grandchildren include Robert H. Lyford (Suzie) of New Braunfels, Texas, Ann Lyford (Pam) of Owasso, Oklahoma, Chancy Lyford of Washington, D.C., Lesley Razzell (Tony) of Orlando, Florida and Steve Lyford (Candice) of San Diego, California. Great-grandchildren include Lucy and Brooks Lyford, Charlotte and Sophie Razzell, Gigi Sipiora, Tate and Vivian Lyford. Surviving nieces and nephews include Dan Akers (Pat) of Searcy, Murray Akers (Barbara) of Owasso, Oklahoma, Debbie Galloway of Helena, Chris Akers (Gayle) and Jeanne Davis (Randy) of Cabot, Kay McCollum (Sid) and Robert M. Lyford (Nell) of Little Rock.

A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2018 in the chapel at Parkway Village, 14300 Chenal Parkway.

The family expresses their gratitude and thanks to Miloise's longtime, dedicated caregivers, Amy Ernst, Connie Davis and Pam Williams. Also special appreciation and thanks to all the wonderful staff and nurses at Parkway Health Center who so well and faithfully cared for her in her final years; and our great appreciation to the staff of Baptist Health Hospice for their care and support in her last months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.